Hanoi, 11 Oct 2026 – Hanoi FC are facing mounting pressure after a disastrous start to the V.League 1 – 2026/27 season, with defensive weaknesses, underperforming signings and increasingly fierce domestic competition raising serious questions about the capital club’s ability to return to title contention.
The third round of V.League 1 fixtures on October 11 finds Hanoi FC and Song Lam Nghe An in contrasting situations. While the Nghe An-based side are looking to extend their winning run, Hanoi FC are desperately searching for a way out of their early-season struggles. More concerningly, the problems facing the former champions appear to extend well beyond a temporary dip in form.
Two defeats from their opening two league matches, seven goals conceded and an early elimination from the National Cup represent a deeply disappointing beginning for a club accustomed to competing for major honours. Their humiliating 4-1 home defeat to Song Lam Nghe An further exposed the gap between Hanoi FC’s ambitions and their performances on the pitch. For one of Vietnam’s most successful clubs, such results inevitably raise questions about squad quality, recruitment decisions and the effectiveness of the team’s tactical approach.
The challenge facing Hanoi FC is no longer simply about securing their first victory of the campaign. Their traditional advantage in squad depth and individual quality has gradually diminished as domestic rivals continue to strengthen. Cong An Ha Noi FC, Nam Dinh FC, Ninh Binh FC and The Cong Viettel have all invested in improving their squads, creating a more competitive environment in which Hanoi FC can no longer rely on the superiority that once helped them dominate Vietnamese football. Meanwhile, several foreign signings have struggled to deliver the expected impact, and the injury absence of Hoang Hen has further complicated the task of organising the midfield.
The problems are particularly evident at both ends of the pitch. Defensively, Hanoi FC have looked vulnerable and conceded goals far too easily, while their attacking play has lacked the creativity, penetration and clinical finishing expected of a team with championship ambitions. Head coach Harry Kewell must therefore address broader tactical and structural weaknesses rather than simply wait for injured players to return or hope that individual performances will improve.
Their upcoming home encounter with newly promoted Bac Ninh FC has consequently taken on considerable importance. Securing all three points is an immediate priority, but supporters will also be demanding a more convincing display that demonstrates genuine progress. Another disappointing result would only intensify scrutiny of Kewell and his coaching staff, particularly given the club’s reputation and the expectations surrounding its performances.
Although the V.League 1 season remains in its early stages, Hanoi FC’s difficulties should not be dismissed as an isolated run of poor results. The competitive landscape of Vietnamese football has changed significantly, with several clubs now possessing the resources and playing quality to challenge established powers. Hanoi FC, who once set the standard for domestic success, must adapt to an increasingly demanding environment where their historical reputation offers little protection against ambitious opponents.
A victory over Bac Ninh FC could provide much-needed relief and help restore confidence within the squad. However, one positive result will not be enough to resolve the deeper problems threatening Hanoi FC’s ambitions. If the capital club are serious about returning to the V.League 1 title race, they must improve their defensive organisation, rediscover attacking efficiency and ensure their recruitment strategy produces players capable of making a meaningful difference.
For Hanoi FC, the immediate objective is to stop the losing run. The greater challenge is rebuilding a team capable of competing consistently with Vietnam’s strongest clubs and reclaiming the position they once held at the top of domestic football.
VSN/RPT
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